Sustainability has been a key theme in the fashion industry over the last 12 months but hosting the first ever Drapers Sustainable Fashion event last week highlighted how widespread the ambition is for fashion businesses to move towards a greener future.

Entries are now open for the Drapers Digital Awards - recognising the best of the best in ecommerce across the fashion industry in the UK and Ireland.

Sports Direct Group’s head of elevation, Mike Murray, and Flannels’ head of brand, Carl Tallents, exclusively unveil their UK and international expansion plans for Flannels and explain why Sports Direct is betting big on the high street.

Drapers Footwear Awards 19 will recognise and celebrate the footwear's very best from across the UK and Ireland.

We have 18 exciting categories up for contest, including International Footwear Business of the Year and Best Sustainable Initiative of the Year.

Sports Direct Group’s head of elevation, Mike Murray, and Flannels’ head of brand, Carl Tallents, exclusively unveil their UK and international expansion plans for Flannels and explain why Sports Direct is betting big on the high street.

Christmas will come says Deloitte

More than half of UK consumers will spend as much this Christmas as they did last year, defying the economic downturn, according to a survey by Deloitte.

According to Deloitte's 14th annual Christmas Retail Survey, 57% of shoppers will spend the same amount this year compared to last Christmas, with just 24% saying they will spend less and 19% claiming they will spend more.

However Deloitte calculated that the overall average spend this Christmas would be £655, which is down 7% on last Christmas.

Supermarkets are expected to come out on top, with 66% of shoppers saying they will use supermarkets for their Christmas gift shopping, compared to 52% last year.

The survey added that both retailers and consumers are cautious about 2009, with 83% of retailers and 64% of shoppers claiming economic conditions in the UK will deteriorate further.

Tarlok Teji, head of retail at Deloitte, said: "Although this Christmas may be one of the toughest in decades, retailers have been toughing it out for most of the year. We think the talk of Christmas being cancelled is overplayed."

He added: "Whilst total planned spend including socialising may be down, the majority of consumers intend to spend the same as last year. Retailers will need to understand their consumers better than ever and offer relevant products to take a share of the Christmas wallet."

Have your say

Please remember that the submission of any material is governed by our Terms and Conditions and by submitting material you confirm your agreement to these Terms and Conditions. Links may be included in your comments but HTML is not permitted.